''For the kidney structure, see
straight arterioles of kidney''
Vasa recta are straight capillaries coming off from
arcades in the
mesentery of the
jejunum
The jejunum is the second part of the small intestine in humans and most higher vertebrates, including mammals, reptiles, and birds. Its lining is specialised for the absorption by enterocytes of small nutrient molecules which have been previou ...
and
ileum
The ileum () is the final section of the small intestine in most higher vertebrates, including mammals, reptiles, and birds. In fish, the divisions of the small intestine are not as clear and the terms posterior intestine or distal intestine m ...
, and heading toward the
intestines
The gastrointestinal tract (GI tract, digestive tract, alimentary canal) is the tract or passageway of the digestive system that leads from the mouth to the anus. The GI tract contains all the major organs of the digestive system, in humans and ...
.
The arcades are
anastomoses
An anastomosis (, plural anastomoses) is a connection or opening between two things (especially cavities or passages) that are normally diverging or branching, such as between blood vessels, leaf veins, or streams. Such a connection may be norm ...
of the jejunal and ileal arteries, branches of
superior mesenteric artery
In human anatomy, the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) is an artery which arises from the anterior surface of the abdominal aorta, just inferior to the origin of the celiac trunk, and supplies blood to the intestine from the lower part of the du ...
.
The vasa recta of the jejunum are long and few, compared to the ileum where they are numerous and short.
See also
*
Intestinal arteries
The intestinal arteries arise from the convex side of the superior mesenteric artery. They are usually from twelve to fifteen in number, and are distributed to the jejunum and ileum.
Nomenclature
The term "intestinal arteries" can be confusing, b ...
Additional images
File:Gray535.png, Loop of small intestine showing distribution of intestinal arteries.
External links
*
{{Arteries of abdomen
Arteries of the abdomen